BACKGROUND
Majestic Mt. Pulag is highest peak in Luzon and one of the most beautiful mountains in the Philippines. Its fabled views, of winding slopes of dwarf bamboo, and distant peaks surging like islets in the ocean of lofty clouds, comprise perhaps the most breathtaking sights in Philippine mountaineering. The native tribes say that Mt. Pulag is the "playground of the gods". In Luzon,

The enchantment of Pulag, however, is much greater than just the clouds and dwarf bamboo. The entire experience is a great treat that makes the long travel time (10 hours from Manila to Baguio then Baguio to the jump-off) worth it. Whichever trail you choose - the easy Ambangeg, the challenging Akiki, the arduous Vizcaya trail, or the various traverse climbs - Pulag is a great adventure. Of course, many would opt to do different trails in one climb, the most common of which is the Akiki-Ambangeg combination.

When you climb Mt. Pulag, you would already start off on a high altitude. The cool weather is refreshing, but if you are not prepared the weather will become a great burden because temperatures have been recorded to reach zero or subzero levels. But with proper preparation, the cold weather is quite an experience. Pine trees are everywhere, and you will encounter villages of the Kankaney, Kalanguya, and Ibaloi tribes. Their children are very cute, and bear a resemblance to the other mountain peoples of the world. Their main livelihood is agriculture; you will pass through sloped plots of cabbages, lettuce, potataos, and other crops that ultimately find their way in Baguio's famed markets. Bear in mind that the region is the 'Salad Bowl' of the Philippines.

THE TRAILS OF MT. PULAGThe map illustrates the approximate locations of each trail, as well as its path, in relation with the summit of Mt. Pulag. The Ambangeg Trail is discussed in this main article. Visit also the Akiki Trail and the Tawangan Trail.

THE AMBANGEG TRAIL
It is very convenient to make arrangements for jeepneys from Baguio to take you directly to the Badabak Ranger Station. This significantly cuts climbing time, and it makes possible a 2-day Pulag climb. If you arrive early in the morning in Baguio, you can take the jeep and be at the Ranger Station by lunchtime.

From the Ranger Station to the summit is around 8 kms. First you will pass by wide trails, surrounded by pine trees and picturesque landscape. After awhile, you will enter the montane forest, with its grand spectrum of flora - from the pink flowers known locally as ayusep (see photo) and various mosses to the archaic, bonsai-shaped trees. The next landmark in the middle of the mossy forest is Camp 1, marked by a hut.

In the entirety of the trek to the grassland, there's only one moderately steep part, taking just a few hundred steps. Actually the trail is very relaxing and enjoyable, with the cool weather and the encounter of various faces of the mountain (pine trees, montane forest, grassland). At the montane forest, you will catch the first glimpse of the Pulag summit, which has a hue of golden brown.

There are a few campsites to choose from: Camp 1 is still within the mossy forest area; in Camp 2 the grassland is just beginning (2600+ MASL). There is also another campsite which goes beyond the summit, on the way to the Akiki trail. This is the saddle campsite (Camp 3) and is preferred by those who want close proximity to the summit. Camp 2 is the most advisable campsite, with a close water source, latrines, nice views, and more manageable weather conditions. However, the saddle campsite, being very the near the summit, takes you as close to the sky as possible. Either way, brace yourself! Temperatures can really plummet to near-freezing levels.

Ranger Station to Campsite 2 takes around 3 hours. From this camp, the summit assault is typically done either late afternoon (for the sunset) and very early morning (for the sunrise). The trail beyond this point is offers unparalleled grassland landscapes, with the grand array of the Cordillera mountains as backdrop. The dwarf bamboo grass that envelope the slopes is a wondrous presence. After an hour of trekking, you will finally reach the summit, that is, the highest point in Luzon.

The summit views of Pulag are fabled and legendary. On a blessed time, seas of clouds form beneath, covering everything but the highest points in the Cordilleras: Mt. Amuyao rises very distinctly northeast, then the twin Mts. Kapiligan and Napulauan (NNE). The picture on the left shows the blogger's hands at Amuyao (L) and Napulauan (R). Mt. Tabayoc (N) and Pulag is separated by Mt. Panotoan (N). Then moving your eyes westward, you will see the the mountains of Tenglawan and Kibungan (NW), and you will also appreciate Mt. Timbak (WNW), said to be the Luzon's third highest point. The range from which Mt. Timbak rises is one where the Halsema highroad, the Philippines' highest highway, passes. In this range one can also see Mt. Pawoi (W). Beyond this, further west, is already the Ilocos region. Baguio City and Mt. Sto. Tomas continue the visual circle (WSW) and if the sea of clouds is lower than 2100 MASL, you can also see Mt. Ugu (S). These are objective sights to see, but the subjective feeling of being there, above the clouds, is hard to put in words. How beautiful exactly? One has to go to Pulag in order to find out.

MT. PULAG VIA AMBANGEG ITINERARY

Note: It is also possible to take regular public transport to the Visitors' Center but it will be difficult to manage a two-day itinerary since the bus would arrive in the afternoon and this would still necessitate taking a motorcycle to the Ranger Station. However, this is very possible with a three-day itinerary.

Day 2
0430 Early morning trek to summit for sunrise
0545 Arrival at summit just in time for sunrise
0700 Start descent from summit
0800 Back at Camp 2; heavy breakfast
0900 Decamp; start descent to Ranger Station
1130 Back at Ranger; Settle guide fees; jeepney descent
1230 Back at Visitors' Center; tidy up and log out
1400 Head back to Baguio City
1700 ETA Baguio City. Dinner.
1900 Head back to Manila
0200 Back in Manila

Public (1) Bus, Cubao or Pasay to Baguio City [P460, 6-7 hours]
(2) Rented jeep to Ranger Station [P8000 for up to 18 persons, 3-4 hours] or public bus in Dangwa, Baguio City i.e. A-Liner [P120/person, 4-5 hours] then habal-habal to Ranger Stn.Private: NLEX>SCTEX>TPLEX>Marcos Highway or Kennon Road>Baguio City then take road to Kabayan via Itogon. For 4x4 vehicles it may be possible to take vehicle up to Ranger Station but sometimes road conditions make the Visitors Center inaccessible. Check with DENR first.

Registration

Mandatory orientation and registration at the Visitor's Center, total fees P225/person.

Guides are secured at the Ranger Station; a system is in place and no prior communication is required. The rate is P500/guide for 1-5 persons, and P100 for each addition person thereafter. The maximum number of persons/guide is 10 (P1000) but with 11 persons, the cost is just (P1100). Porters may also be secured at P300/day.

DENR-PASU (Mereng) - 09196315402
Note: The DENR-PASU has requested PinoyMountaineer not to post numbers of transportation contacts that are not accredited with them.Disclaimer: contact numbers are listed for information purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement of any services.

Scheduling. Mt. Pulag is accessible throughout the year, but it is much more advisable to climb it during the early months of the year, for many reasons. Bad weather, for instance, may not allow the jeep to reach the Ranger Station. Also, clouds may very well obscure the fabled Pulag views, which may lead to disappointment. Moreover, rainy conditions would make it even colder. Thus the advisable time frame for Pulag is between December-early May. However, Pulag may be climbed year round and if you're lucky you can have nice weather even in the so-called typhoon months of June to September.

Facilities. You can take a bath or rinse either at the Ranger Station or the Visitors' Center. There are latrines in Camp 2, and a water source is also present in the mossy forest just before the grassland. Cellphone signal exists in many parts of the trail, including the ranger station, the campsite, and the summit. Tents (limited availability) may also be rented from the park.

Environmental concerns. There are growing concerns about the sustainability of the ecotourism activities in Mt. Pulag, with many pointing out that the current influx of weekend hikers exceed the carrying capacity of the mountain. To reduce impact on Mt. Pulag, PinoyMountaineer suggests avoiding camping in the weekends or peak seasons such as the Holy Week, or minimizing group number to 15 or fewer (with 30 as upper limit). This suggestion is also for the hikers' sake: you may not enjoy a campsite full of people. For serious hikers, the less-trodden Akiki, Tawangan, Ambaguio trail, or the Ugo-Pulag Traverse (as part of the proposed Grand Cordillera Trail) may be more rewarding encounters with the outdoors. Moreover, PinoyMountaineer does not advice would-be visitors of Mt. Pulag to patronize organizers who do not regulate their number of participants.

TRIVIA

There used to be a dog named Chica which guides mountaineers up the mountain. In 2003, when the blogger first climbed Mt. Pulag, Chica followed all the way to the summit. It was a chillingly cold November. For full story, see the feature on Chica.

Parts of Mt. Pulag are claimed as "ancestral domains" of the different tribes, such as the Kankaney, Ibaloi, and Kalanguya tribes. The guides and porters belong to these indigenous communities.

Great site and learned a lot about Mt. Pulag. We are scheduled this saturday, April 5 to go to Mt.Pulag via ambangeg trail. Since this is our first time to climb, we'll take the easy route. Somebody suggested to us to go straight to campsite 3 and camp there because it is much nearer the summit and we dont have to wake up early to trek all the way to the summit for the sunrise. Also campsite 3 is like a paddle which in between two mountains and its not that windy like campsite 2. If we camp at campsite2, we have to wake early and trek 3 hours to view the sunrise.

either campsite 2 (grassland campsite) and campsite 3 (i.e. saddle campsite) is suitable. however, we recommend campsite 2 because that way you don't have to bring your packs all the way to the peak. also, there's not much pressure on day 1 to reach the summit -- especially since sometimes poor logistics get in the way of the itinerary. also, camp 2 is near the water source and the winds are really not much of a problem. camp 2 moreover isn't 3 hours away, but just 60-90 minutes away from the summit. but yes, you have to wake up at exactly 0400H or even earlier.

camp 3 has its own advantages: beautiful views of both sunset and sunrise; close access to the peak. this is recommended esp. if you start trekking early on day 1.

but don't sweat it. either campsite is a good option. good luck in your pulag trip and i hope you have a great time.

sir ernesto, thanks for sharing this very interesting approach! many people are hesitant to climb pulag because of the cost -- having to wait for a large group but at the same time equally reluctant to have to talk up ranger. this will be perfect!

hi there.i just browse ur blog here in the internet. just need a help my friends and i were planning to climb mt. pulag via akiki-ambangeg trail and directly go to sagada mt. province after. could u help me with the itinerary.i was thinking after the climb in mt. pulag do you think theres a ride that we can get when we reach the ambangeg i mean not to go back to baguio and hired a ride in baguio.. i read that there were a ride from kabayan via halseman road? have u heard that one? please can u help me about it. our plan will be on the end of this year. thanks and more power to you....

@drunkenlily: sorry for the belated reply. yes, there's is an elementary school in ambangeg, and another one in bokod.

@anonymous: if what you want is pulag then sagada without having to go back to baguio, then you can take the kabayan-atok road that passes by mt. timbak (singakalsa). i think a jeepney services this road from the kabayan poblacion. in which case you must still take a jeep or a bus from ambangeg to kabayan. and from kabayan, take the jeep. i dunno the skeds though. if you do this track, you might as well take the 1 hour hike up mt. timbak!

an exciting alternative is taking a different trail down from pulag summit. for example, you can choose to descend via tawangan instead of ambangeg. from tawangan, the town of tinoc, ifugao is just 2 hours away by foot and from tinoc, you can take a bus that leads to halsema. from halsema just wait for a passing bus to sagada.

from tinoc there is also a jeepney ride to kiangan, ifugao, 2 hours away from banaue...and banaue is 4 hours away from sagada.

a final possibility is descending via the ambaguio trail to reach bayombong, n. vizcaya. there is a jeep from bayombong to banaue - probably 4 hours, and again, banaue-sagada is another four hours.

Oct 31- Nov 3, 08 PLAYGROUND OF THE GODSSir Gideon my group and I had a successful climb on Mt.Pulag, it's nice to say that I saw my classmate since high school lurking on DENR. Aakyat ako sya naman is in to M.BIKING he’s name is Ranger, since 98 the two of us are in to nature haha it was nice, sa lahat ng lugar papunta pa ng MT.PULAG, anyway on DENR office ate MERENG gave my group and I the orientation, she was happy to see that even small children are interested on climbing the PLAYGROUND OF THE GODS, may mga kids kase kame kasama the youngest is 3 yrs. old, every view on the climb was a sight to see, MT.PULAG gave my group and I a chance to see it's sunset, WOW! Although on the next day at the summit we had no clearing but still it was the best BECAUSE IT'S NOT EVERYDAY we can climb MT.PULAG ,proud to say "I SURVIVED MT.PULAG"

i appreciate all the info i've read here. it only adds up to my enthusiasm to climb pulag! The problem is, not one friend is willing to try it. i've been contemplating on going this year even without a party with me.the trip has taken a backseat for three years already and i cant go on postponing it just because i can't drag anyone to go with me :c

I reached the summit of Mt Pulag on 24th January 2009 at 5.30am. Fog was thick hence no visibility. I started from the Ranger Station at 2.00am.

The bus from Baguio is at Slaughterhouse Terminal. My bus departed at 9.50am (P72). From Ambangeg I hired a motorcycle for the 10km uphill climb to the Ranger Station. I made arrangement with the driver to pick me up the next day.

hello everyone!my daughter will climb pulag via akiki trail on feb 20-22. im a bit worried though she would be climbing with professionals. would appreciate advise on preparation for first timers. thanks!mommy dine

This is the best blog I have come across regarding Mt. Pulag. You really have a passion for what you do.

I am planning a hike the end of March 2010 with a group of high school classmates from Baguio and some expatriates. Most of us are novice hikers and well into our 50s. The biggest concern is how steep the climb is and how the trails are set. Are they all switchbacks? Ambangeg is rated 3/9. How is that compared to a scale of 1-10, 5 being moderate? Thanks.

I have been to the enchanting Mt. Pulag through various trails many times (15 times!)already andup to now, I am still encouraging mountaineeringenthusiasts to keep climbing and spread the news on exploring, discovering and preserving nature!

Please join us on our March 12-15, 2009 Climb via The Akiki Trail traverse to Ambangeg. This will be a pure trekking adventure. In our future treks you can serve the the surrounding communities (Tawangan, Lusod, Napo, etc)with us by joining our Surgical Missions.

climbed pulag back in 1993 and again in 1995. most memorable days of my life. iwasn't able to reach the summit the first time because the weather was uncooperative. it was raining so hard ( it was coming from the side!) that we reach only the saddle. we didn't camp at the ranger station but instead, we camped inside the house of a lady store owner about a kilometer before reaching the ranger station.

second time i went there was when JPII visited manila for WYD. i was with six other schoolmates and this time the weather was very cooperative. and did i mention it was so cold that we set up a bonfire near the ranger station at 2pm just to keep us warm.

i love pulag and i dream of going back someday. but this time, i hope i can bring my daughter with me.

to all those planning to climb the 2nd highest mountain in the country, i wish you all th best and have a geeat time.

Just got back from Pulag via the Akiki-Ambangeg Trail and I am totally wasted!! The Akiki Trail is not called a killer trail for nothing. Sobrang hirap!!! It rained in the afternoon from the jump off to Eddet and Eddet to Saddle. It was my first ever climb!! But when you reach the summit, every muscle ache, hypothermia, half cooked rice, fantastic latrine will be forgotten. The Sea of Clouds is something! So unreal! Thanks to Aaron, Abet and the UCPB group!Thanks for making this dream a reality! I maybe crazy but I am already thinking of doing it again! haha.

Dear Mr Gideon :Your article on Mt Pulag is so very well written, with very accurate information.We trekked through Ambangeg sometime early Jan of 2007 and was blessed with very good weather. We saw the most beautiful sunrise above the clouds, which some do not get to see on their 1st or 2nd climb due "bad weather" conditions. While at the summit,word went around that some of the trekkers were on the 4th attempt, and was just viewing the unobstructed, magnificent sunrise above the bed of clouds for the 1st time!!..I love the Mt. Pulag experience!! Our 11 year old son, who is asthmatic, was with us, also made it to the summit. He asked for his ventolin puff, (which i left in our tent at Camp 2), just before we had to negotiate the steepest part at around 530am but forgot about his difficulty when he made it to the top!) He loved every minute of the trek. We are set to trek again on April 28 but the weather forecast is giving us jitters..We are praying hard for better weather... Once again, thank you for sharing your Pulag story and info with everyone...

We're planning to climb Mt Pulag on May 7th, are there any groups going on that same date? Dalawa lang kami, makiki-share na lang sana kami sa rental ng jeep to Ambangeg...please reply back at jy2kca@yahoo.com

a friend and i are driving to Baguio tomorrow for a hike to Mt. Pulag on Friday. the last time i did it was in 1991. i cannot remember anymore the road condition between Baguio and Ambangeg. may i request for some informations. also, are we obliged to get a guide or we can go on our own.

Hi, the awesome and majestic (if not mysthical) view of Pulag will always be the same, rain or shine. You may experience it during sunrise or sunset, depending on your fortune :-)

Be really prepared for the cold weather though (remember HYPOTHERMIA.... never underestimate it... this is not your usual CLIMB BUT an entirely different thing. Be prepared for hailstorm/halestorm too)

Grabe, I've been there last fri and saturday. We never experienced the sunset assault coz the weather was uncooperative. The good thing was we experienced the perfect sunrise. True, be prepared for the cold weather coz last Friday night the temperature at camp site to drop at 8.5 degrees Celsius.  Di ako nakatulog sa lamig. Hehehe.We really enjoyed the Pulag's surviving experience and we are planning to go back on January next year to see the pulag with ice. PS: to Sir Rommel and Danny of Dasma, please contact me if you are planning to go to other places. Thank you!

Hi, Everyone, Our group might be climbing Pulag this June (12-14). We are hoping for better weather (no storms or rain showers). Will a June climb be ok? Any advise/suggestion/comment would be really appreciated..Pia (SPi MC Officer)09063250119mprmanzano@yahoo.com or spimc1999@yahoo.com

Any month wud be good for climbing Pulag.But also consider our seasons every June, it cud be rainydays/storms so it might cause u xperience of discomfort.^_^. from Nov - Mar is the best climbing month to Pulag.

hello sir/mam, I want to climb Pulag this oct. I want to do the Ambangeg trail so it won't take too much time. i guess either trails you do, u'll end up seeing the great sight of Pulag summit..since it'll be 3 days, anyone knows any good sidetrip? not Baguio please hehe..tnx

Thanks for sharing such Informations I shared this Infos at thi site: http://www.interactivecordillera.co.cc you are most welcomed to come and share you're experiences to the New Home of the Cordillerans on the Web.

good day sir, were planning to climb mount pulag this coming october. will it be a good month to climb mount pulag? and how much will cost us, lets say for a group of ten? btw, we are all geology students with a passion of climbing mountains, together with an academic interests. thank you and more power on this site..

Pulag season is coming..We are m.biking enthusiast in crosscountry/downhill based in urdaneta pangasinan..inquire ko lang po, is bike permitted up to ranger base? kasi po we want to combine biking and trekking up to pulag summit and downhill back home

we're doing a mt. pulag climb on december 27-28 2009. We're a group of 8 people. We're still open to have small group of 2 or 4 join us to split the cost of the transportation. Just send me an email at daifoxed@yahoo.com if anyone's interested. Thanks!

My first climb on pulag was April 1992.A breathtaking,unforgettable experience.Thinking that it was not totally for pleasure but to fulfill a duty to see first hand how the Mt. Pulag Commission was handling its conservation of the said National Park.We used to trek on the Ambangeg trail.The most convenient only by foot.I wonder how it looks today after almost 17 years of not seeing it again.I'm hoping thatmountaineering groups will continue to protect and preserve this magnificent gift that God hasgiven us to enjoy.Keep it clean.

hello, im planning a weekend climb to mt pulag -angbangeg(beginner) trail before or after panagbenga (feb 26Sat-27sun, 2010 --> i prefer [b]before[*/b]) im trying to avoid human traffic on the campsite/trail and also be on time for panagbenga festival =) im a freelance climber and im looking for a group or new friends who can adopt me. i dont have any iti or budget yet for the trip. if anyone have some info/climbing pls let me know. super thanks! -- tadan@live.com

yes Gideon is correct, updated yung mga numbers pero I tried several times until naka usap ko sila. Yung fax nasa Baguio pa raw yun so they will just get your name and some details. Those willing to go with us, txt me 9178554454 or garyq@yahoo.com. Mga 3-5 pax na lang we can take in. Thanks!

my fiance and i together with his officemate, climbed mt.pulag last month, march 26-27.. since its our 1st time, we took the ambangeg trail.the easiest.. we walked from ambangeg to ranger station.the problem was, our companion are a bit old so our phasing was really poor.it took us 5hrs to get to the ranger station.. if only i knew that there's jeepney ride from baguio to the ranger station.. :-( anyways, kung may alam naman kayo na contact numbers ng mga jeep from baguio to ranger station, that would be a big help. i'm planning to climb mt.pulag again this may with my younger siblings and friends.. tnx!

hello everyone! I'm planning to get my luck in climbing mt. pulag...want to join me? anyone interested to join me may contact me in this number 09283479090...I'm a beginner and you may want to help me reach this MT.PULAG (sea of clouds) out...I'll be more than happy to meet you.thanks! I'm planning to climb on 1st week of May 2010..see you guys!

my fiancee and i were at mt pulag national park last march 16-17. we planned on doing an ambangeg-akiki trail but was advised sa denr office to do a roundtrip of ambangeg instead, dahil sa sunog. sulit pa rin naman.

iba-iba tayo. most likes to cook kapag nasa bundok, pero i prefer to backpack light, so essential food/nutrients, water, coffee and some snack food habang naglalakad. if you like to cook, by all means. i cook kapag more than 2 nights ako sa backcountry.

we paid 6k kay mang roger from baguio to the ranger station, then back to baguio. i might add na 2 lang kaming pasahero ni mang roger. pero as you read from the article above, the jeepney rental can go up to 9k. mas madami kayo - mas maliit ang share per head.

we paid 500 pesos sa isang guide for 1 night, via ambangeg trail. merong entrance fee na 100 pesos, camping fee na 50 pesos and green fee na 25 pesos. these fees are all for phil residence and per head. we didn't need a porter so we have no idea. bring some extra cash if you want to buy some 'i survived pulag' t-shirts.

(a) be over-prepared rather than under-prepared in terms of warm clothing. the lowest temperature we noted during the weekend was 9 degrees, although the DENR told us to expect even lower. i'd recommend fleece and light winter gear if you have them. bring something to keep your head, hands and feet warm. low temperatures plus wind can cause you real problems.

(b) even as you're prepared to layer on the warm clothing, also be prepared to peel them off. e.g., summitting at dawn, you usually start out with all your warm clothing on you, but, as you walk, you'll start to get warm and, if you don’t get rid of some of your layers, you might end up sweating in the cold. not a good idea. mahirap nang magpawis at matuyuan ng pawis pag malamig. you might end up catching a cold and getting sick.

(c) for those who want to bathe after getting down the mountain, we were told that you can do it either at the ranger station or at the denr office but, if you can wait a little longer, you can also do it in baguio. burnham park has showers with hot water, 50 pesos per shower. there’s no place to park your packs but, if you’re with a group, you can just take turns showering and those waiting their turn can hang out in the park, or in the restaurant just in front, and watch all the packs. the restaurant isn’t cheap cheap but the prices aren’t too bad. pancit bihon enough for three (and it's good pancit bihon) is 140 pesos.

hi!!!bunzy here from cebu.just got back from mt. pulag..the weather was very great indeed..thank GOD!!we were all 9..with our guide named elorde but we insisted to call him flash..thanks to you..we stayed in camp 2 since it is near the water source..3hrs trek from the ranger station..after eating dinner at 6pm directly slept because it was really cold..woke up at 3:47am..at 4 we started to trek & approximately 5:40+ we reached the summit...it was really amazing...thanks JP for the info...

Budget P3500 participants from manilaP2500 participants from north ( ilocos/baguio)...Mt. Timbak - Top 9 in the Philippines, Top 3 in LuzonMt. Tabayoc - Top 5 in the Philippines, Top 2 in LuzonMt. Pulag via Tawangan-Ambangeg trail - Top 3 in the Philippines, Top 1 in Luzon

My first attempt of Luzon 3-2-1 was back in 2006 (barely 2 years into my hiking 'career')link @ http://adonisextreme.multiply.com/photos/album/42 That was a bold attempt (for a newbie) to plan a three-peak, 2-man journey which I still hadn't known was a highly coveted feat amongst local mountaineers. Well...who wouldn't be daring if you were doing it with one of the boldest adventurers you had known? The mission was not accomplished owing to my sprained knee. (Downhill Timbak trek was new to my legs...or it's the other way around). Me and my buddy called the thing off when I strained in pain while exploring the four lakes surrounding Mt Tabayoc.Sixteen months later (Apr 2008), I took on the challenge again with two of my best climb buddies. It took us six days and five nights to complete the journey with virtually just the most basic of necessities in climbing a mountain (2.5k manila-manila). We took the KM55 entry to Timbak then descended to the river-valley of Kabayan Barrio...hitched a ride to Ballay (the jumpoff to Tabayoc)...scaled Tabayoc in 5 hours (U-D)...took the bus back to the trailhead of the Akiki trail in Kabayan..and the following day, witnessed the most beautiful sunrise scenery I've ever seen (link @ http://adonisextreme.multiply.com/photos/album/67/LUZON_3-2-1...sa_wakas).Luzon 3-2-1 will always be my greatest accomplishment as a hiker. And it is good to know that some people are taking the initiative to share the beauty of nature to others. I am delighted to know that the cost of the above arranged expedition is not that high! I hope you enjoy this adventure!I'm starting to get bored with climbing mountains alone. This time I want to share it with those who want to see the beauty of nature before it's gone. I will be revisiting the mountains I've climbed and I'm planning to organize some major climbs to newbies. I hate exorbitant fees that's why I never joined any organized climbs. I took on my journeys on my own. So NO FEES will be collected. You will be holding your money all throughout the journey. I'll just lay down the breakdown of expenses so you can make your estimate.The climbs will be of different natures. It could be really 'petix' (but lengthy and costly) or it could be the hardcore Blitzkreig type (quick and light on the budget).A friend of mine has just requested that I organize an Akiki-Ambangeg Pulag exped for his workmates (who are no hikers themselves) sometime in late January 2011. There's seven o them. I'll be inviting three more from my circle. I might be admitting four or five more strangers. The only benefit I get out of this is for my expenses to get paid for and the sweet thought that I will have shared a wonderful experience to others.0920 252 2176adonis_domino.lloren@up.edu.ph

This is what you get when you join ORGANIZED CRIME, este, climbs. That's the reason why I rarely, if ever, join organized climbs. Antique, Iloilo and some Mindanao organizers are good. You won't get screwed when you join their organized climbs (which most of the time are open climbs). Plus their mountains are AMAZING. But if you don't have enough dough to head to the south and are left with no other choice but Luzon mountains, then you gotta be careful in choosing which group you're joining. Avoid those BIG, ESTABLISHED, NAMED, mountaineering groups. But if you just want to BE IDENTIFIED with them, do as you may! As to the apparent irregularities in ORGANIZED CRIMEBS, I don't want to blame the organizers because the participants assented to the agreed-upon fees or charges. There was a pre-climb and you should have raised your concerns there. Hindi rin kasalanan ng participants (lalo na yung mga first timers) kasi wala naman talaga silang alam kung magkano ang ideal na budget sa pag-akyat sa Pulag or whichever mountain it is.ETO LANG SIGURO ANG MASASABI KO:1. Kung may dapat mang sisihin, isa lang yun: yun ang LACK OF INFORMATION. Pero pasalamat na tayo na may site na ganito where valuable information is shared.2. Mali din naman ata ang pagsasamantala sa kawalan ng impormasyon ng mga makikilahok na baguhan. At least give them a breakdwon of expenses and a justified reason for where the excess money should go.3. Hindi biro ang mag-organize ng expedition. Sa organizers nakasalalay ang safety at enjoyment ng mga participants. Planning and logistics are no joke. Ano gusto niyo ibalik sa organizers? Simpleng TY?4. Hindi lahat ng organizers nangingikil! may mangilan-ngilan pa ring natitira jan na ang hangad lang ay ibahagi ang kagandahan ng kalikasan at ang kasiyahan sa paglalakbay sa mga taong hindi pa nakakaranas nito! Scroll a few notches up and you'll know who I'm talking about!And that was at the risk of sounding self-righteous! But try me, you'll see!

FYI: Iba ang AMBAGAN (hati-hati sa gastos, kadalasan pay as incurred) at CLIMB FEE (fixed amount na binabayaran, yung sobra is either for a cause or for organizer's fee). Keep that in mind next time you join a group climb.

anon:There are a lot of versions of Luzon 321 IT. They differ mostly in your take on Mt Pulag. The climb size is another factor. Sir Melo's IT takes only 3 days and 2 nights (or 4d3n at the max). Dayhiking Mt Timbak, they set their 1st night camp at the foot of Tabayoc. The second (or and) third night/s is at any of the campsites of Mt Pulag (with Tawangan entry). But this is the Blitzkrieg type and requires a climb size that can support the rental of vehicles. The budget (Manila-Manila) is roughly 3.5k (if you reach a climb size that is around 20pax). My version takes 6 days and 6 nights. 3pax, hitch, 2.5k(mla-mla), Akiki (entry to pulag) and a bloody "walkathon" from Mt Pulag summit to the DENR office.For details:e-mail me at adonis_domino.lloren@up.edu.phor reach me at 0920 252 2176

Yep...check out that site http://d3wdr0ps.multiply.com/photos/album/9/LUZON_3-2-1_Hiking_The_Cordilleras_Three_Highest_Mountains.

It's the best Luzon 3-2-1 I've known (that caters to the low-budget, low-impact, low-time traveler). But if you're looking for the petix type (at maramihan kayo), go for sir melo's IT...or better yet, go with his team!

Our mountaineering group named RUROK will be climbing the majestic Mt. Pulag this coming January 21-24, 2011. Sir Gideon, may you also please include us on the List under NCR. Our group was formed since year 2009 and wi've been through various climbs. For those who want to join us you can contact us at 09173822298. Thanks...

hi, im ready to go up Mt.Pulag on the 25 of Feb.. isn't raining during this time?no one of my friends have the spirit to climb,I am willing to go up alone though, and I want it "DIY". any advice/ suggestion for a novice like me..

hi there fellow climbers! We just got back from our Pulag Ambangeg-ambangeg trip and we were blessed with a beautiful and lovely weather. If some of you are looking for a chartered jeep going to ambangeg, I would highly recommend Mam Gina Epe (09198169234) She was also recommended to us by the DENR People in Kabayan. 8k ung rate nila for a Monster Jeep that has a sitting capacity of 16 people. chaou!

About the Blog

The Lonely Planet-recommended web portal for hiking in the Philippines, PinoyMountaineer has the most comprehensive list of guides for mountains and outdoor destinations in the country, as well as bulletins to keep you updated with the local mountaineering scene. This blog is authored by Gideon Lasco, avid mountaineer and medical doctor, and was established in 2007 with the help of Ivan Henares of the award-winning travel blog Ivan About Town.